Motor-driven vehicle.



0,l c.4HoUGHToN. MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-5.1917.

Patented July 2; 1918..

9 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVEVTOR: ibo'fz'am URNEYSTM? .N .MSN

WI www 0. C. HOUGHTON.

MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED SEPTJ. l9l7.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR: WITNEssEs:

.Hoz/011mm A T T ORNEYS.

Patented July 2, 1918.

0. C. HOUGHTON.

MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE.

l APPLICATION FILED SEPT-5.19I7. 1,270,826.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Patented July 2, 1918.

INV EN T 0R.

RLL'Y CJOUGHTOM 1 TURA/EMS.

WITNES'SES:

O. C. HOUGHTON.

MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE.

APPLlcATIoN man sEPT.6.19|7.

Patented July i?, 1918.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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WTNESSES:

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0. C. HOUGHTON.

MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE. APPLICATION man sPT.6. 19|?.

Patented July 2, 1918,

9 SHEETS-SHEET 5- WI INESSES:

IN VEN TOR RLEY C. Jo z/Gfzg'olv BY l ATTORNEYS.

0. C. HOUGHTON.

MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED sPT.6. 1917.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

F1611 INVENTUR:

0. C. HOUGHTON.

MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE.

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0. C* HOUGHTON.

MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE.

APPLICATION man SEPT. s. 19H.

1 ,270,826. Patented July 2, 1918 9 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

.sf J5 Ffa I6.

URLL'YCJUGHTOM WM M7@ ATYURNEYS.

0.(1. HOUGHTON.

Moo 'nRlvEN VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-. |917.

l 19 -77 11mm I:

I I 4 73a AA 73a Patented July 2; 1918.

Flaw. C@ r y y "MII WITNESSES' 75a L :I INVENQ'OR:4 1 9 BY Izwffaz/zmm A OW/f- :l 75 .M W2@ m M. ATTORNEYS@ 'i UNITED `'srAtIEs FFICE.

onLIcY C. noiIeH'roN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNoa iro FREDERICK C. AUSTIN, or

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

To all 'whom it 11i/ay concern:

13e it known that I, OBLEY C. HoUGrI'roN, 'a cltizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful `Improvement in Motor-- DrivenVehicles;v and I do hereby declare that the following description of my said invention, taken. in connection with the accompanying 'sheet of drawing, forms a full, clear, and exact Specification, which will \enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

` My invention relates generally to improvements 1n motor driven vehicles; and it consists, essentially, in the novel and peculiar combination of parts and details of construction, as hereinafter first fully set forth and described and then pointed out in the claims.

The'object of this invention is the pro- 'y duction of an eliicient, serviceable,v and durable traction engine, preferably of the endless track type, ,which can be successfully operated in the eld, on' the farm, on streets, etc., and which is especially well adapted for military. purposes.

In order to accomplish these results, I construct this traction engine as shown in the drawings, forming/a part of this specl ication, inwhich Figure 1 isa side elevation of this tractor. Fig. 2 1s a rear elevation of the same, theoperators seat. and

other minor detalls shown in other figuresvation of the transmissionk gear case. Fig.

,8'is' a sectional elevation of the lsame on line'8-8 of Fig.' 5. Fi 9 is an elevation of the clutch employel in lthis 'machine Fig. 10 is a` sectional view of the same on.

line 10--10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an elevation of one of the driving sprockets over which the endless track band is trained.`

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the same on line 12-12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is an eleva- 'tion of a part 4of 'the truck, the driving, and idler sprocket wheels, theendless track Specification of Letters Patent.

MOTOB-DRIVEN VEHICLE..

Patented July 2, 1918.

Application llled September 6, 1917. Serial No. 189,925.

band, and the operators seat-being`omtted. Fig. 14 is a. iplaxmf the same, "the track-4 wheels or rollers being omitted. Fig. 15 is an elevation of a fragment of the truck; and Fig. 16 isa sectional view ofthe same, on line 16-16 of Fig. 15. lFig. 17 is a fragmental plan of the truck showingthe driving wheel 1n horizontal section. Figs. 18 to 21 -inclusive are diagrammatic views of the `various transmission ear combinations by speed of the machine are produced.

sprocket wheel 4and the worm gear vwhich three forwar and one backward Like pants aredesignated by 'the same characters and symbols of referencel in all i",

the various figures. Thls machine comprises a mam frame or chassis which is formed of two, preferably channel, bars 12, 13, which are connected at their rear ends as shown at l14, thereby forming a structure resembling the-letter U;

and upon this main framevthere is mounted an, preferablyv internal combustion, engine I of the multiple cylinder type M, with allv of its appurtenants,a radiator N, a' water tank P, a transmission gear case R, an Operators seat S, and other minor parts, not

show-n, but required in an organized machine, which parts are of usual and,I wellknown construction..

This main frame with' its before-mentioned parts are supported wpon trucks T, on which there are mountedv endless track bands U, on which the machine is constructed to move vor travel. These tucks ofwhich there are two, viz., one on'each side' of the machine, are alike Ain construe, tion. so that a description of one of these trucks applieswith equal force to the other truck. r A

The main portiony of this truck comprises two metallic, open, frames or skeletons 15, 16, in parallel spaced relationship, each` skeleton h-avin 'V-shaped' ends 17, 18, the upper limbs e ,which are connected by a bar 19, while the lower limbs are connect by a bar 20T The outer member' 15 of-this skeleton trame is straight; but the'rear end: of the inner member16 is ofsetLasat 21, to afford space for a worm gear case V, between the members- 15, 16. These 'two members are provided with inwardly extending tubular bosses 22, and bars 23, there being in the tubular bosses bolts 24, best fioo seen'in 14, fby hch :the members 15, 1'6, are securely fastened together.

^ In the lower margins of the lower bar 20,

"of the skeleton `frame there are bearings 25,

Fig. 1, in which the shafts of rollers or track-wheels' are rotating in the usual manner. But in the preferred embodiment of my invention, these bearings are of peculiar construction. As shown in Figs. 13, 15, and

16, the lower margins of'each member 15,16,

are notched, preferably with' square notches 26, and '1n -these notches'there are located the lsquared ends 27 of axles 28, which :are

Arigidly heldv inl .non-rotating condition4 by clamping plates 29', and bolts' 30. Roller, or track wheels3'1, are `mounted on theseaxles' in a peculiar manner, as follows:

The hub 32 of each track wheel, as best seen inFig. 16, is bored considerably larger than the diameter of theaxle to 'a'ord space for antifriction' 'rollers l33, which may belubr1catecl byoil grooves 34. The bore at the ends ofthe hub is enlarged, and upon the axle 28 there are forced collars 35, t'o keep the antifriction -rollers in place. "When thusfar assembled, flanged collars 36, are

4 forcedonto the axle at 'each end thereof.

The ,enlarged boresatthe ends of the hub are internally screw-threaded, and' into these enlargements are screwed followers37, there1 by' leaving between the inwardly .extending flanges of the followers and the outwardly -extending flanges of the collars'36, annular spaces 38, which are filledwith lsuitable absorbent packing, and thereby prevent escape of the lubricant. AThe outer peripheries of the followers 37 are polygonal in contour, as clearly illustrated in Fi 15, and provided 'each with a notch 39, W ile in the ends of the hub 32 there are a series of holes 40,-

' wherewith a'g screw l4 1' engages, the head of vents the follower from rotating. `By rewhich screw occupies the notch 39, and premoving thisl screw the followenmay be rotated to compress the packing inl the space 38, and `then again locked in position. by

replacing' said screw-41 in th'e nearest hole i 40;;.The important advantage gained by the construction just described is that the entire l the works and then laced in position in the truck without'any urther assembling thanv track wheel can be completely assembled at to place the 'squared' ends of the axles into the square notches and apply the clamps and screws to hold the axles in position.

The forward ends 17 of the truck frame [is rotated. 4Over' the driving sprocket -wheel X and vided with rims 48,' which overlap theends` of the hubs 49, of the idler sprocket wheel I 50. This hub is bored'large'r than the' diamfriction rollers 51, which are held in position by coilars 54, secured to the ends of the hubsl by screws 53. The rims48 ,ofl the collars 4 7 are internally groovedto receive packing I52 which prevents escape of lubrif cant supplied to the axle v44 by a lubricator 55, of any well-known construction, preferably by what is technically grease cup.-

Therear ends ofthe skeleton frame mem4 bers 15, 16, terminate in substantial tubular lbosses 56,` bored to receive a non-rotating axle57, best illustrated 'in Fig. 17 on which axle there is rotatably mounted atube 58,2

the bore of which `is large enough to "receive, .at its ends antifriction rollers 59; andupon this tube, and near 'the outer end thereof,

there is securely aiiixed a driving sprocketwheel X, to which-reference will hereinafter be specifically had. This tube is, preferably, formed integral with a gear worm'wv el Z, by which the driving sprocket wheel-X the driven Vsprocket wheel 50, there is trained an endless track. band U, which track band vmay be of any desired and approved 'construction. This 'track band forms no part of my present invention, s'o lthat a detailed description is omitted. Generally speaking, vit is formed of pivotally connected members having a flat track '60, Fig. 4, provided with sidewise extending bosses 61, which bosses are engaged by sprocket teeth 62, extending radially from the fianks of the sprocket wheels. Slack in these endless track .bands U is taken up by mechanism best illustrated in Fig.' 11. The boxes 43 at the forward ends of the'truck. frames have `Tslots 63,

which receive the heads 64, of adjusting screws 65, which pass through end-plates 66,

bolted to the ends of the frame members 17,

by screws67 locking nuts 68 being provided on the bolts 65 by which adjustment of the boxes, and through them,'of `the endless track bands may be effected in an obvious manner.`

sprocket wheel X have outwardly Haringy flanges 69, and the teeth 62' with their inner, parallel Hanks' 70, engage the sides of the track 60, the `flaring'portions guiding the track to the sprock eral .or swinging I ovement of the track bands. And for a like purpose, the idler sprocket wheel 50, as well as one or more The sprocket teeth- 62 on the vdriving.

wheels to prevent latof the track wheels 31 are provided with these sprocket teeth 62, and the outwardly flaring anges 69.

The motor of this machine is longimdiT nally mounted on the chassis with its crank shaft 71 in 'the longitudinal centerline of` the'chassis. This. crank shaft carries a ly wheel 72, and adjacent this vfly wh'eel, a friction clutch W, preferably of a type herein after to be 4fully described. ,By means of lthls friction clutch, the crank shaft is connected toa main transmission shaft 73, to

which is connected, by a couplingl 74, a continuation 73,.'which latter shaft is journaled in bearings l75, .at its outer end, and terminates at its inner lend .in the clutch ear wheel A, into the hub vof which a secon extension 7 3b, enters. In the transmission gear j case R there is .mounted a countershaft 77,

journaled in bearings 78, 79,'and upon these shafts 73a vand 77 'there are mounted the transmission gearing, as follows:

Keyed to, or preferably formed integrally with, the shaft-extension 73, there 1s the clutch gear wheel A, above mentioned, and upon the countershaft 77 there is keyed a I,gear wheel B, the countershaft 77 being .Journaled in bearings 78, 7 9 bolted to the gear case R. AUpon the rcountershaft -77 there is, furthermore, keyed a gear wheel` D,.which meshes with a clutch gear wheel C, loosely mounted on asecond extension 73", and adjacent this clutch gear wheel C,

' there is keyed `upon the second extension -73", a gear wheel clutch gear` wheel,

F which meshes with a tension 7 3b there is also eyed a gear wheel G; and loosely mounted on the conntershaft 77 there is a clutch gear wheel H.

' Inl the forward part of the transmission gear case R, and in tw side extensions 92,

' thereof, there. are .-located, as illustrated in Fig.l 8, two intermediate gear wheels K, L, the former meshing with the gear wheel G, andthe. latter with both, thegear wheel G i and the gear wheel H, the intermediate gear wheels K, L,.fina lly meshing with .the gear wheels I, Ia.-

wheels A and4 C, there is splined on the sec- Between. the clutch gear ond extensionfb a double-faced clutch element 80, preferably of the claw-t pe, which element, when moved by a f orke lever 160, on a transverse shaft v161 mounted in the gear case R, may be caused to engage either the clutch gear wheel A or theclutch 'gear wheel C. At the outer end of this shaft 161 there is placed an arm 162, which is pivota'lly connected to a rod 163, which leads back to a suitable distance of the operators seat, so that the operator may manipulate the clutch element 80 in a convenientmanner.

there is sp'lin'ed upon the countershaft 77, a second clutch element 81, which clutch element 81 his manipulated by a fork 164, on a shaft 165, having at its outer end an armv 167, to which yis pivoted a rod 166, which likewise reaches back to be operated by the operator mounted on the seat S. By means loosely mounted `on^ the countershaft 77. U on the second eX-.

-of this arrangement of gearing and clutches I am enabled to move e machine forward at three different speeds, and backward at I have diagrammatically depicted the various combinations of gearing by 'which I attain these movements and speeds. Thus, in Fig. 18, I illustrate the combination by which I attain the slowest movement.

Assume that the first extension 7 3a rotates -one speed; and in Figs. 1`8 to 21 inclusive clutch' gear wheel'A, and that clutch gear wheel A rotates gear wheel B, and by it, the

countershaft-77 when the' clutch element 8 1v enga es the clutch gear wheel 'E, this gear whee will rotate gear wheel F, and with it the second extension 73, n'd thereby rotate thegear wheel G, as asllii'iver, and Gr will then move intermediate gear wheels K, L, and these, in turn, rotatetl gear wheels I and Ia. I

To attain a medium speed, which is probbly the speed mostly employed, and has, therefore, the leastnumber of gear wheels in action, I employ, as shown in Fig. 19,l the clutch element' 80 to' connect the second eX- tension 73h, to the clutch ear wheel A so that gear wheel G, rotated Iiy 73h, again becomes a driver, the clutch 'element 81 being in neutral position shown in Fig. 6.

For the high speed, I use the combination shown in Fig. 20, in which case` clutch element 80 engages the clutch gear wheel C. Thus A rotates B 77 rotates D; D rotatesC, which through clutch element 80rotates 7,3", and this,iotates-G.fff!'The direction of movement of the various gear wheels is indicated by arrows, and shows that inll all of these three instances cited, gear wheel'G rotates in the same direction.

To reverse the movement o`f-y the vehicle, I avail myself `of the combination show n in Fig.y 21. Here theclutch element 81 en gages the clutch gear wheel I-I, (the clutch element 80 being 1n neutralposltion) hence: A rotates B; B rotates 7.7, and through the clutch element81" rotates H. By reference to Fig. 8, it will now be noted that G rotates l clockwise, and I-I rotates in the same direction; and that when G effects the forward movement of the vehicle H when rotating counter clockwise, as illustrated in' Fig.4 13 .will .cause a retroactive movement thereof.

In this connection I may state that the bearings 75, 76, 78, and 79, in which the shafts 73 and 73", and the countershaft77 are Ajournaled, comprise, as shown in Figs. 6` Y and 8, each a tubular hub 168, having a lat' erally4 extending flange 169, by which, and

screws '17 2, Fig. 7, these bearings are vsecured to the forward and rear vfaces of the transmission gear case R, the hubs being boredl large enough to receive antifriction rollers 170, to reduce friction as muchas possible. And in order to permit vof the insertion into, and vtheremoval of the transmission gearing out of, the transmission gear case, the latte'r is providedwith acover 176, bolted to the gear case, while the extensions 92 thereof have their outer halves 177, bolted to the main portion of said extensions.

This transmission gear case with all of its l 4contained elements may be assembled at the works, and in its complete condition may be placed onto the chassis; a ring 171, on the cover ofthe gearcase R being provided'by which to handle the same by any suitable hoisting mechanism.

Inasmuchas the worm wheels Z are subjected to wear, and may require renewal, I

form these worm wheels in sections, as illustrated in Fig. 17.- Thus, the tube 58 -has formed thereon a' web 172; and to this web is secured a, preferably steel, ring 173, thel periphery of which is provided with the worm wheel cogs; and in order to insert and remove these worm wheels, the worm wheel gear case is formed in two sections, the portion 174 being suitably bolted to the section 175, as clearly -shown in Fig. 17

Gear wheels I, I, are keyed to sleeves 90,

. Figs. 6, 7, .and 8, which sleeves rotate in bearings 91, `in the side extensions` 92 of the ers 93 being placed into the bea-rings 9 1,

transmission gear-case R; antifriction roll- These sleeves are mounted loosely upon f short shafts 94, which shafts are, however,

only indirectly rotated in 'the following The shafts 94 extend forwardly from the side extensions of the gear case for some distance. The sleeves 90 have-` on their outer ends drums 95, formed, preferably integrally with, the sleeves; and these drums or pulleys communicate rotative movement to the shafts 94, by means o fa friction clutch device, which, describing it in the singularY number, comprises an arm 96, extending beyond the periphery of the drum 95. This arm is fixed to shaft 94. Upon the periphery of the drum 95 there is -placed a brake band 97, Figs. 9 and10.' From the arm- 96, and-pivoted thereto by a pin or bolt 98, ex-

tends alever 99; having at its upper en'd a bolt 100, and at its opposite end a pin 101, on wh1ch there is mounted aroller'102. Dne

end of the brake band 97 is secured to the pin 101, and the other end thereof is secured to a screw rod 103, passing through a lug 104 formed on the back, and at the upper there are secured there is awasher 1109, and on the-.outsidethreaded portion 110, Figs. 5 and 6, adjusting vand locking nuts 111, by which the 'spring 108may be properly tensioned. The

of this washer, there is placed, on the. screwcones 106 are laterally moved. on the shafts i 94 in one direction -by means including, as best shown in Figs. 12 4, and 7, a verticajly disposed shaft 112,-30urnaled in bearings 113, 114, secured to the forward face of the transmisiongear case R. On this shaft 112,

opposite directions, the outer extremities of which are bifurcated, as at 116, which forks have pins 117, fitted with rollers 118, that vengage the grooves 107 inthe cone-extensions. Approximately medially, between the bearings 113, 114, there is secured to shaft 112 an arm having downwardly extending 'members 119, o neof which bears against one,- and the other against the other, ofthe forked arms 115. Oscillating v4.this forked arm 119, in one direction, causes the corresponding cone 106 to' move in a direction away from the drum with which it is con-' o arms l115, pointing in..

nected, while rotating the element 119 in the opposite direction,- produces the same effect on the opposite cone. To rotate this vertical shaft 112, thereis placed at its up- 95. and' laterally projecting from the upper Y per end a segment of a worm wheel 120;

bearing 113 ofthe shaft. 112, there is a bracket 121, Ihaving bearin for a short shaft 122, onvwhich there is v ormed a worm A 123, which engages the segmental worm Wheel 120. The short shaft 122 is coupled,

by means of a flexible coupling 124, Fig. 1,

to a shaft 125, extending rearwardly to a reasonable distance from the operators seat S, and carrying at its rear end a hand wheel 126; the rea` end of said shaft 125 being journaled in a bearing 127,4provided at the upper end of -a post 128, rising from the chassis of the machine. v

It willnow be noted that rotating the .hand wheel in one directionproduces the vfollowingresult: The worm 123 engaging l the segmental gear wheel 120, rotates thev vertical'shaft112,and this, in turn, acting through the corresponding fork 119 on the correlated arm'115, draws the cone 106 in the direction away from the respective the brake band, moreo'r less, and releases it from the drum 95. In this connection I will state that normally, the cones are in ex tended position shown-in Fig. 10, where the arms and levers have pulled the'brakeband tightly onto the drum, so that any movement of the cones away from the drums causes the brake bands to slacken, the conesbeing forced 4to normal position by the springs 108 when'all the parts on the vertical shaft 112 are in a like, normal position.

f The tension of the springs 108 is so ad- `drum, and through the lever 99 slackens justed by the adjusting nuts 111, that the rakebands will receive just suiicient frictional energy from the brake drums to operate the track bands under 'normal conditions. Should, however, the machine meet an obstruction in the road which the `fric- I a usual driving mechanisms would stall the.'

tion 'clutches cannot overcome, which, in the motor,A the brake bands will slip on the drums s o that no injury can happen to the machine, and allowing the obstruction to be n removed without'being compelled to restart the motor, the cranking of .which is very objectionable. And in this connection it is opportune to state thaty there being two op- 'erating shafts, one'f or veach traction ele'- ment, the strain or torque on these shafts is but one half of 'that to which chain, worm,

or other drivin mechanisms are subjected that have butasmgle operating shaft.' And,

" furthermore, it will be observed that the worm drive as described places an equal ,fstrain on the trucks, and thereby avoids any twisting .of the` truckl frames, and other 254 troubles which it is not necesary to mention.

In order to make the release of thebrake -band 'from the yfriction drum 95 positively 'certain, I formvon the counterweight 129, Figs. 9, and 10, '(which` is4 'preferably' formed integrally with the army 96-to balance the same) rpunctured lugs 130, in which a rod 131 is movably arranged. To the lower end `of .this rod the 'brake band is secured. 'A` spring 132,v on, and a collar l133, fixed to, the rod 131, tend to push the brake band yaway from the friction drum 95.i The effect of this spring 132 on th brake: band is, however, overcome when thel brake band is being tightened tothe drum by the cone 4106. It willnow be noted that pwhile' the' 'friction drum is rotating, the

shaft 94 on which the arm- 104 is fixed does not rotateuntil the cone 106 is forced, by the action of theY s 'ring toward thearm '104, thereby causing t e lever 99 to tighten the brake band so that now the frict1on`dr`um v rotates the arm' 104' with its lever 92, and

. extension, coupling 134, 'preferably of the `universal type, .and to this joint is connectthrough-it, the shaft94.

The shaft94 passes through the extension of the transmission gearcase R, and

has,'at its rear end, adjacent to the gear case ed an operating shaft 135, which is located at, and approximately parallel to, theA s1de of the chassis', and Which shaft connects, `with ai couplin 136, to a short shaft 137,

, fformed prefera ly integrally with a `worm 138, which worm engages the worm wheel 60 -Z heretofore mentioned. "The worm shaft "13,7 is' journaled in bearings 139,v formedif `on an extension '140,jon the worm wheel case V. This gear case is entirely closed to retain' lubricant by whichl the worm gear- 'ing is lubricated, suitable means, not Shown,

being provided4 t0' introduce the lubricant to the worm gear case V.

It is obvious that, there being two truck's and two traction elements, the above descri tion of the wo'rm driving mechanism ies to Iboth' of these devices.

ghe two trucks T are supporting the en'- tire superstructure of the machine, in the following manner: l

Depending from the channel bars 12, 13, there are hangers 141, which are vertically slotted and have slidable boxes 142, operable in said slots, and 'arel best shown in Figs.` 13 and 14, in whichy boxes there is )mounted a dead axle 143, transversely of the chassis, and extending from one side of the trucks T, to the opposite side thereof. The truck frame members have bearthese truck frames may ings 144, Whereb oscillat'e on the ead' axle and. ermit these trucks to follow the undulatlons yef the ground over which the machine may ass.

In order to maintain the lparallelism o the twotrucks,l and to prevent twisting thereof, .there are connected to the dead axle 143 converging brace rods 145, which 'reach one, ofthe inner truck frame members, to

-which angle bars 148 are pivotally connected at their ends by luvs 149. Connectin 4vthe channel bars 12, 13, near their forwar ends, there is a vbar 150, l`ig's.,13 and 14, and in this bar there is suitably secured a verticallydisposed bolt or rod 151, carrying iat 'its upper end a plate 152. Interposed between the angle bars 148 and the plate 150, there are, preferably two, coil springs 153; and betweenthis plate 150 andthe late'152, there are two more springs 154. A'oth of these sets of springs are under tension'so that, should the truck frames rise at their forward ends, the springs 153 will actas shock absorbers, while when the for-A ward ends of the truck frames descend from a normal or horizontal position, the springs 154v will perform the function of a shock-absorber, while the channel bars 148, in addition to serving as sup orts, act as flexible tie rods to the forwar ends of the truck frames permitting either of the forward ends of thetruck frames to rise and fall, thereby preventing torsional stresses being set upin'the structure.'

In order to provide 'for connecting a bars 148, reaching from one to the opposite lso ' ,e relieve the same4 from jars -i and jolts, which aan@ to transenne,- tnef@ is 10c-aaa a the: rear end of the machinel a vcoupling Q, of

any approved` design.v

The radiatonN is .flexibly supported.

npon the .chassis by curvedsprings 155, to

would seriouslyaifect theI delicate cellular Y structure. thereof.

' To support the -upper runsof-'the-endless ltrack bands, there are provided in the up l "per `bars 19 .ofthe .truck-frames bearings 156, which larejournaled the -shafts .of

1 that thefsteer'ingi's entirely by --manipulating or controlling th speed of the endless track bands, by the single hand wheel-126. Thus, when this hand wheel'is rollers 157, of any, approved coni Attention is'now directed to the fact that this machine liasf ,no steeringwheels, and,

lmplished slightly rotated in one direction, that track 251l straightcourse toward the right or the left,

I band'which is controlledfb this movement,

will slacken its speed, an the other track band, having thepreponderance'of speed, will cause the machine to swerve :froml a as the case may be; and it is to be, noted that ,when one of the brake bands is caused to be ,track the other track, band being moving, 1t will en tirelreleased from its drum, so thatthe and controlledltliereby stands still,

cause 'the machine lto turn in a' circle the center of 'which is approximately in the middle of 'theftrack band that is not'moving, thereby"enabli ng this machine to turn the sharpest. corners, and -`move in the most confined places, generally without being compelled to back up To facilitatethis turning movement, the

ground run of the' ,e1filess.track bands is' slightly curved, as indicated in Fig. 1.

-' WhileI have hereinbefore mentioned traction engines as being the machines to which.

I elements, and combinations of parts 'shown v andf'described may be successfuHy enf.

ployed Ain almost every motor vehicle,- such as motor trucks, automobiles, .twinescrewI vessels, etc.; and while I have also de`-. scribed with.. considerable lmim'lte'n'ess the preferred ,embodiment-'of -my invention, 4 I.

desire4 to state that; Ifam aware that manyof vthe'sedetails of construction disclosed, mayzbe varied, and partsomitted without departing from the scope of, my l invention as deined'inv the subjoin'ed claims.

Having thus fully c l'escribedthis*inven-VA tion, I claim' as new, and desire tol secure by 60, v i 1. In 'a' power Adriven vehicle, thecombina- -LttersoPatent of the United States-"- -1 tien, .of achassis, a motormounted on said chass1s,"a mam transmission shaft connected to said motor, said main -transmissionshaft being located in the longitudinal -center of bein said chassis, a transmission gear caseat the forward end of said chas'sls, gearing 1n said transmission gear case connected to said-, main transmisslon shaft, a pa1r lof drivmg.

shafts,. one on each side -of said chassis, a

friction device at the-forward endof-eachy driving shaft, said friction devices being op'- erated by said gearin a worm at the'i'fear end of each driving s aft, a' pair of trucks, I V75 s, fa driving-f sprocket wheel for-each trackl band, anda worm wheel'connected' with each driving sprocket to rotate said driving sprocket, and'.

one on each side of said chassis endless' track bands mmm ed in said met mechanism for controlling the movementfof a single 'hand wheel.

' 2. In a motor vehicle, the combination, of a chassis, a motor mounted on saidV chassis, a pair of trucks to support said chassis, endless track bands mounted in said trucks, and mechanism for controlling the speed of the track bands, including a pair of operating shafts' in parallels aced relationship, said operating 'shaftsbelng located, one on each, side of the-chassis and reaching 'from the forward end thereof to near. the rear -end of the machine, la worm wheel driving mech-'- anism at the rear ends of the saidoperati ing shafts, each shaft bei-ng'operatively con` vnected to its 'correlated track band, a frction device at the forward endf of each operatin'g shaft, each of'said frictiony devices being connected tosaidinotor, and means including a single operating mechanism Yfor controlling said friction devices.'

3. Infa motor--vehiclethe1combination', of' a chassis, a motor mounted' on said' chassis,

-a transmlssion gear case located at the fo'rward end of said chassis, transmission gear# ing in said gear case, said ge'aringbeingopico eratively connected Ito said motor, two operating shafts loate'done 'on each side. o fg said chassis and extending v-through said transmission gear case, Saidoperating'shafts connected to ,Said 'ear1ng, r a

case and rotatably mounted therein, means wir 0f' frictlon drums one on eac side of 'said gear connected tosaid operating shafts" for en g'agingI sa id .friction drums, whereby said friction drliins are operating shafts.

each side of'said chassis, said.'operating mounted therein, means connectedto said constructed to rotate said 80 each 'track band said mechanism'including 80 v chassis, a truck'at each side of said chassis, j an endless track band'movably mounted in ,said chassis, and gearing' connecting said traction means to said ,shafts to'independ- 6 ently operate said tractionlmea ns. v 5.In a' motor driven vehicle, the combina-v tion, of afchassis, a'motor mounted on said chassis, amain transmission shaft connected to said motor, said 4mainA transmission shaft .being located in the longitudinal center line of said chassis, .altransmission gear :case at the forward end of said chassis,transmis'-` sion gearing mounted in said gear case,said

' gearing being connected to saidmain transmission shaft, two operatin each side of said chassis, an means for connecting said operating shafts to said transmission gearing, the latter means including two" drums rotatably mounted lnear the forward'ends of said operating shafts, ,arms on each of said shafts'and lixed thereon, a lever pivotall;r mounted on each arm,y abandon the. periphery ofV each of- `said drums, one end of said band 4being connected to said cured to said lever, and means foroperating said levers to tighten said bands around said drums torotate said arms.l V

g 6. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination, of a chassis, al motor mounted'on said 4eah truck, and means for operating said endlesstrackfbands, said means includingv two lworm wheel shafts, one on each side;

of said chassis, a--Worm at the rear end of each operating shaft, worm wheelsy in 4engagementlwlth said worms, means connect-.

; ing saidwo'rmfwheels to said endless track Ail-bands, a ltransmission gear caseatthe forl ward endof saidzchassis, transmlsslon gearing in said gearcase'Y said transmission gear' ing being connected to said motor and to saldi-operating shafts, the, connection between said gearing-"and said operating shafts including-a' friction device at each of said operating shafts connected toi-said gearing;

i In a motor drivenvehicle,` the combiv -.nat1on,"of a chassls, `a 'motor' mounted on said chassis, a4 truck at' each side of said ,cludin two-worin wheel shafts, one on each of; each o eratinggshaft, worm vwheels in en' ing sgid worm wheels to said endless track ward end ofsaid chassis,- tr'ansmission geartween said gearing shafts, one on i'chassis, 1 a n endless' trackv band lmovably`l 'f :ln'o'unted inleach truck, means for operate.;-

' ing said endless track bands, said means 'in-1',4

side o .saidfchassis, a worm at therear end* .gagemen vvvithfsaid worms, .means connectf g,

'. wardv end of each; operat shaft, and'I means ,on each operatingsha *for disconnectin v each friction dev1ce from said gearing in ependently of theother of said vfriction devices. e v

8. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination of al chassis, a motor mounted on said chassis at the rear end thereon-trac-` afts being operatively connected to its correlated traction means,-

each of said `operating shafts having at its forward end a friction device connected to said motor, and means for disen aging one of said friction devices from sai operating lshaft independently ofthe other y'of said friction devices. x

9. In a motor driven vehicle, the combi nation, of a chassis, a motor mounted on said chassis, tractlon means ateach slde of arallel spaced relationsaid chassis,'and means for connectin said traction means lto said motor, inclu lng a transmission gear case at the forward end of said chassis, gearing in said transmission gear case, operatively connected to said'm'o'` tor,said caring including a pair of gear wheels, saidgear wheels being mounted on sleeves, rotatably mounted in said gear case, a drum on each sleeve and ixedly connected thereto, an operating shaft for each drum, said -shafts passing through said sleeves, said sleeves rotating on said shafts, said shafts extendin towithin a short distance of the rear end o .said chassis, the rear ends of said shaftsbeing operativel)r connected tosaid traction means, an arm secured to the forward end of each shaft, a'band around each drum, said arm being connected to said means for releasing said bands 'indevpendently, ofeach other;

motor driven vehicle, the combi- Q10. In" a nation of ,a Ichass1s, a motor on s'aldfchassis lat the -rear end thereof, traction means at eacliside of said chassis, and vmeans for connecting said 'motor o said traction 4xeans, sald means including a gear .case at e Aforward, end of saidchassis, gearing in said gearcase for :operatively connecting' of' .operatin 4shaftsfpassin through said sleeves at t eir orward en s, and extenden of'said chassis, the rear. ends of-said operating shafts being operatively connected toA sald tractlon means, an arm seband to tighten the same around said drum, f

means. 'for operating said arm' to cause thel 4 enagement of said band with. sa'iddrum,A an 110 ias;

-in vt'o within a short distance of the rear l y cured to the forward end of each operating' shaft,'a brake band surrounding each friction drum, a lever.on each arm and piv'- otally connected thereto, said arm being .a verticallyrdisposed-shaft in front of connected to one end of said brake band, said lever being connected to the `other end of said brake band, and means `for operating said levers to cause said armste 'engage said' drums,.the latter means including a cone at the forward end of each operating shafJi sal ' gear case, arms,piffotally mounted on-said vertical-shaft, said-'armsbeing connected to said cones, a bifurcatedelement on said ver# tical shaft, the fork-membersof which engage :said pivotall'y-4 `'mounted arms, and means foroperating 'said bifurcated element. l 1 1. vIn' a -motorid r1ven vehlcle', the combinat1on, lof a chassis, a ,motor mounted on said chassis, endless` `track bands at each f'side-of said chassis, -a' gear case at the forside of saidl chassis, 'said' shaft bein 'v ward endof saidfchassis,transmission gearing in said chassis, an'operating shaft at each operatively connected to said endless trac bands '12. In amotor nation, of a chassis, a motor. mcunted on said' chassis, traction means at each side of said chassis, and means for operating said and to' said'g'earing,fand means for rotate ing said operating shafts'injunison, and at speeds-varying from each other, the operative connection between said. operating shafts and said endless track bands including-a worm at the rear end off each operat- 'mg;shaft,a driving sprocket wheel for each track band, said-,drivmg sprockets being;

'.mounted on sleeves, said sleeves being rotatably mounted on axles, anda worm wheel .on each sleeve and meshing with its coacting worm.

driven vehicle, the combitraction means, saidmeans including a gear 'I 'caseat the forward end of said chassis,

gearing 'in said gear case connected to said motor, sald gearing 1nclud1ng apair of drums, one on each sideof said gear ,case,

an operatingshaft at each side of said gear case, 'said operating shafts being connected- 'at their forward'ends to said drums, andv at-their rear ends to saidV traction means, a

single steering' hand wheel, a verticallydis# posed shaft in front -of said gear case, said .friction means.

to release said drums. v

lsaidsprocke Iwheels being rotated b gearin oper tively connected to said7 motor.

7 13. In` aV motor driven" vehicle, the combination of a chassis, a Vmotor mounted on said chassis-traction means on each'side of said chassis, and means4 connecting said motor tov said traction means, including a gear case at the forward end of said chassis, gearing in said gearscase connected to said motor, a friction drum at each side of said gear case and'operatively connected to said gearing, an operatln said oper-ating shafts passing through said drums, the rear vends of said operatingl shafts being. connected fto said traction means, an arm -at theforward end of each operating-shaft, a lever on each arm and pivotally connected thereto,- afriction band surrounding said drum, one end of said friction band being connectedfto said arm,the

other end of said friction band being secured vto said lever, aslidable cone at the forward e'nd of each operating shaft,a roller rotatably mounted at thev lower end ofeach lever,

to engage said cone, a spring-in front of each cone, -for :normally fo'rcing said -cone vto tighten .said band on-s'aid drum, `and means A for retracting said -cones to canse said levers bands fromj said rlction 14.' In amotor. driven vehicle, the combnation, of a chassis, a` motor.- mounted yon said chassis at therear-endthereof, a traction means at each side v,of saidfchassis, -and means-"for operating said traction. means, said traction 4meansv ,including a. pair 'oftrucks, each truck comprising va pair of skeleton frames, a sprocket wheel'at' each' end of said-skeleton. frames,- an endless `track b and trained over lsaid` sprocket wheels, a dead axle' transversely 0f,'. and

located underneath said chassis and .conf

shaft at each side of saidy chassis, the orward ends ofv` nected thereto and to. each of said truck frames, carrying .wheelsfor the upper runs of said endless track bands, and track wheels4 for the lowerjruns of said track bands, said `track wheels havin axlesA the-ends of said axles being' `squar the lower. margins of said .skeleton frames being notched to receive thesquared ends of said axles, and.-

'clamps to retain said axlesin said notches, worm 15; La motor driven vehicle, the combination, of a chassis, a-motor mounted on,

said chassis, a pair of trucks, one at each v'12o side o f said chassis, a' .pair of sprocket wheels mounted :in each of said trucks,

means forconnecting said sprocket wheels to said motor, an endless track band .trained over each pair of coacting sprocket wheels,

said trucks comprising each a pair of skele- 'ton frames, said frames being rigidly connected to each' other said skeleton frames having V- shaped ends, the upper bars of each-V bemg integrally connected to each other by a bar, said latter bar having bearings, carrying rollers rotatably mounted in said bearings, said carrying rollers supportingthe upper runs of said endless track bands, the lower members of said Vs being connected by a bar, said bar having in its lower margin a series of notches, non-rotating axles, said non-rotating axles having squared ends engaging said notches, clamping plates for retaining said axles in said notches, track wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, said track wheels being constructed to run on the lower stretch of said endless ltrack bands.

16. In a motor vehicle, the combination, of a chassis, a motor mounted on said chassis, and a Vpair of truck frames to support said chassis, said truck frames comprising each a pair of skeleton members, said skeleton members having at their lower margins angular notches, an axle in each notch, said axles having squared ends engaging said notches, clamping plates underneath said notches, bolts for securing said clamping plates to said skeleton members, and track Wheels rotatably mounted on said axles.

17. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination, of a chassis, a motor-mounted on said chassis, traction means at each side of said chassis, and trucks for supporting said chassis, said trucks comprising each two skeleton members, each ot said members having V-shaped ends, the members of the Vs being connected by horizontally disposed bars, there being formed at the opposing flanks of each skeleton lmember tubular bosses, said bosses being integrally formed with said members, bolts passinor through said bosses, said bolt having nuts which, when tightened, will securely connect said members.

18. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination, of a chassis, a motor mounted on said chassis, traction means at each side of said chassis, and trucks for supporting said chassis, said trucks comprising each two skeleton members, each of said members having V- shaped ends, the members of the Vs being connected by horizontally disposed bars, there'bein formed at the opposing flanks of each seleton member tubular bosses reaching yto within one half of the distance between opposing skeleton members, bolts passing through said bosses, nuts on said bolts which, when tightened will securely fasteny the two skeleton members together, there being bearings at the apexes of the Vs, the outer member of the skeleton frames being straight, the inner member of said skelethere being formed at the opposingl flanks of each member tubular bosses, bolts passing through said bosses, nuts on said bolts which when tightened will securelyfasten the two members together, there being bearings at the apexes of the Vs, the outer members of said skeleton frames being straight, the inner members being offset at one end, the driving mechanism for the traction means being located at the latter end, there being notches in the lower margins of the skeleton frames, and clamping plates bolted below said notches, non-rotating axles mounted in said notches and track wheels rotatably mounted on said axles to run on the lower stretch of said traction means.

20. In a motor driven vehicle, the combination, of a chassis, a motor mounted on said chassis, traction means at each side of said chassis, said traction means including trucks constructed to support said chassis, endless track bands mounted in said trucks, sprocket wheels mounted in said trucks over which said endless track bands are trained, and means for rotating one of said sprocket wheels in each truck, said means including a worm-gear case, a worm rotatably connected to said motor, a worm wheel in each casing, said worm wheels meshing with said worms, said worm wheels bein each mounted on a sleeve together wit a sprocket wheel, said sleeves being rotatably mounted upon non-rotating axles fixed in said trucks.

21. In a motor driven vehicle, a truck frame, comprising two skeleton members in parallel spaced relationship, there being at one end of said truck frames tubular bosses, a non-rotatin axle secured in said bosses, a sleeve rotataly mounted on said axle, a sprocket wheel secured to said sleeve, a ear case mounted on said sleeve, a worm w eel on said sleeve, a worm in said casing meshing with said worm wheel, and means for rotating said worm.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto set my hand.

ORLEY C. HOUGHTON. 

